Foam covered tube for wiring harnesses

ABSTRACT

A tube for wiring harnesses consists of a cylindrical body for passage therethrough of a terminal-attached cable branched from a wiring harness, the cylindrical body being made of a foamed flexible sheet having a multiplicity of minute bubbles; and a cover means which smoothens an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical body along which the terminal-attached cable slides when passing through the cylindrical body. A smooth sliding advancement of the terminal-attached cable through the tube is attained.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a tube for wiring harnesses which is fittedover a cable or cables of a wiring harness for protecting the sameand/or preventing noises caused by the hitting of the cables with eachother, and more particularly to a tube for wiring harnesses which isimproved in fittability over the cable or cables of a wiring harness.

2. Description of the Related Art

As shown in FIG. 29, a wiring harness 50 consists of a trunk 51 and aplurality of cables 55 branched from the trunk 51. The cables 55 eachhas a terminal 59 attached at the end which is received and locked in aconnector housing 54 to form a connector 54'.

The plurality of cables 55, however, are loose at between the trunk 51and the connector 54' and caused to hit each other, resulting in noisesand damages to their sheaths.

Thus, to prevent the noises and damages to the cables' sheaths, a sheet56 for wiring harnesses is conventionally used. The sheet 56, as shownin FIG. 19, has a multiplicity of minute bubbles 57 inside and is on onesurface coated with an adhesive 58. The plurality of loose cables 55 areplaced at a center on the adhesive-coated surface of the sheet 56,followed by folding the sheet 56 into halves to bundle the cables 55therebetween. The noises and damages to the cables' sheaths are thusprevented.

The sheet 56, however, entails a drawback that its halves, once appliedto each other, are troublesome to separate, especially when appliederroneously or slantwise, making the sheet unsuited for reuse. Thus,wasteful labor and time have been required in the folding operation ofthe sheet 56.

As a countermeasure to the above, as shown in FIG. 32, a tube 60 forwiring harnesses of a foamed and flexible material having a multiplicityof minute bubbles 57 (FIG. 31) has been used in place of the sheet 56. Acable or cables 55 each with a terminal 59 are inserted through the tube60 to be protected therein and to subsequently bring the terminal 59into locked position in the connector housing 54.

There is a drawback, however, to the conventional tube 60 for wiringharnesses that the terminal 59, during its sliding advancement throughthe tube, get caught in the irregularities on the inner circumferentialsurface 61 of the tube formed by the multiplicity of bubbles 57 (FIG.31), obstructing a smooth advancement of the terminal through the tube.

If in this case the terminal 59 is forcibly pushed in, deformations ofthe terminal 59 and/or damages to the tube 60 will be caused. Further,the terminal 59 forcibly pushed in will shave the inner circumferentialsurface 61 of the tube 60 to produce shavings which will possibly stickto the terminal 59 and cause a contact failure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention has been accomplished to overcome the above drawbacks andan object of this invention is to provide a tube for wiring harnesseswhich enables a terminal to be smoothly inserted therethrough and/orwhich protects therein a cable or cables constituting a wiring harness.

In order to attain the object, according to an aspect of this invention,there is provided a tube for wiring harnesses which comprises: acylindrical body for passage therethrough of a terminal-attached cablebranched from a wiring harness, the cylindrical body being made of afoamed flexible sheet having a multiplicity of minute bubbles; and acover means which smoothens, i.e., makes even and uncorrugated, orlongitudinally even, an inner circumferential surface of the cylindricalbody along which the terminal-attached cable slides when passing throughthe cylindrical body.

In the tube for wiring harnesses of the above construction, because thecover means provides a smooth slide surface for the terminal attached tothe cable, the terminal, when passing through the cylindrical body, doesnot catch in the irregularities on the inner circumferential surfacethereof formed by the bubbles, thereby allowing a smooth slidingadvancement of the terminal-attached cable.

Preferably, the cover means comprises an applied film covering the innercircumferential surface of the cylindrical body.

Advantageously, the applied film is of polyester.

Preferably, the cover means comprises a coated layer covering the innercircumferential surface of the cylindrical body.

Advantageously, the coated layer comprises a flexible settable adhesiveor a flexible resin.

Preferably, the cover means comprises a layer covering the innercircumferential surface of the cylindrical body, which is provided byfusing a surface of the sheet constituting the inner circumferentialsurface of the cylindrical body at a temperature over a softeningtemperature thereof and allowing the surface of the sheet to cool.

Advantageously, the surface of the sheet is applied with a pressurewhile being fused to provide the layer.

Preferably, the applied film which covers the inner circumferentialsurface of the cylindrical body has a high heat shrinkability andthermosettability and becomes larger in thickness when heated andthereafter cooled.

Advantageously, the applied film and thus the cylindrical body are usedto directly cover an electric component such as a connector.

Preferably, the cylindrical body with the applied film is extended inaccordance with a laying path of a wiring harness and is heated andthereafter cooled to be put in a shape following the laying path of thewiring harness.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a tubefor wiring harnesses which comprises: a cylindrical body for fittingover a cable, the cylindrical body being made of a foamed flexible sheethaving a multiplicity of minute bubbles; and a flexible film applied toone surface of the foamed flexible sheet, the film having heatshrinkability, wherein the foamed flexible sheet with the flexible filmis heated and thereafter cooled such that shrinkage of the flexible filmcauses the foamed flexible sheet to spontaneously roll into thecylindrical body.

In the tube for wiring harnesses of the above construction, because thefoamed flexible sheet having on one surface the heat shrinkable film isheated, the heat shrinkable film shrinks to cause the foamed flexiblesheet to spontaneously roll on the heat shrinkable film side into acylindrical shape and into the cylindrical body.

Preferably, the cylindrical body has an overlap portion in whichcircumferentially opposite end portions thereof overlap each other.

Preferably, a dimension of the overlap portion in a circumferentialdirection of the cylindrical body is optionally settable.

Advantageously, the flexible film is of polyester.

Preferably, the tube for wiring harnesses further comprises a thin,flexible adhesive tape wound around an outer peripheral wall of thecylindrical body.

Preferably, the adhesive tape is wound around such that the cylindricalbody is reduced in diameter at a portion where the adhesive tape iswound.

Preferably, the adhesive tape is wound around opposite end portions ofthe cylindrical body.

Preferably, the adhesive tape is wound around an intermediate portion ofthe cylindrical body.

Preferably, the adhesive tape is wound around the cylindrical body in abellows-like manner between opposite end portions of the cylindricalbody.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of this inventionwill become apparent from the following description and the appendedclaims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tube for wiring harnesses according toa first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective partially enlarged view of a sheet for preparingthe tube of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one example of a tube obtained byrolling the sheet of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a tube for wiring harnesses according toa second embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a part of the tube of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective partially enlarged view of a sheet for preparingthe tube of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one example of a tube obtained byrolling the sheet of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a tube for wiring harnesses according toa third embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective partially enlarged view of a sheet for preparingthe tube of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one example of a tube obtained byrolling the sheet of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a tube for wiring harnesses accordingto a fourth embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the tube for wiring harnesses of FIG.11 used to cover outer peripheral walls of a connector;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the tube for wiring harnesses of FIG.11 extended in accordance with the laying path of a wiring harness;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a tube for wiring harnesses accordingto a fifth embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective partially enlarged view of a sheet forpreparing the tube of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the tube for wiring harnesses of FIG.14, with cables protected therein;

FIG. 17A is a sectional view of the tube for wiring harnesses of FIG.14, with a small diameter wiring harness protected therein;

FIG. 17B is a sectional view of the tube for wiring harnesses of FIG.14, with a large diameter wiring harness protected therein;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a tube for wiring harnesses accordingto a sixth embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the tube of FIG. 18, with an adhesivetape wound around one end thereof;

FIG. 20 is a sectional view taken along the line X--X of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken along the line Y--Y of FIG. 18;

FIG. 22 is a view of the tube of FIG. 18, with the adhesive tape woundaround opposite end portions thereof;

FIG. 23 is a view of the tube of FIG. 18, with the adhesive tape woundin an extended manner to the cables;

FIG. 24 is a view of the tube of FIG. 18, with the adhesive tape woundaround an intermediate portion thereof;

FIG. 25 is a view of the tube of FIG. 18, with the adhesive tape woundin a bellows-like manner therearound;

FIG. 26 is a sectional view taken along the line Z--Z of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a view of the tube of FIG. 18, with the adhesive tape woundaround the entire length thereof;

FIG. 28 is a view of the tube of FIG. 18, with the adhesive tape woundin an extended manner to the cables;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a conventional sheet for wiringharnesses about to be folded over cables branched from a wiring harness;

FIG. 30 is an enlarged sectional view of a part of the sheet of FIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the sheet of FIG. 29 folded over thecables; and

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a conventional tube for wiringharnesses, shown with a cable about to be passed therethrough.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of this invention will now be described with reference tothe attached drawings. In the following embodiments, description is madeof the cases where tubes of the same material as that of the describedrelated art are used. This invention, however, is also applicable wheretubes of other material are used.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a tube for wiring harnesses according to a firstembodiment of this invention.

In FIG. 1, a tube A consists of a cylindrical body 1 and a thin layer 3applied to an inner circumferential surface 2 of the cylindrical body 1to provide a smooth slide surface 4a for a terminal 59. The thin layer 3is made of a flexible thin film as of polyester. A plurality of cables55 are branched from a trunk 51 of a wiring harness 50 (see FIG. 18) andhave respective terminals 59 attached to their ends.

The thin layer 3 is adhered or welded to the inner circumferentialsurface 2 of the cylindrical body 1. To attain this, the cylindricalbody 1 is, for example, cut and unrolled into a flat shape, adhered orwelded on its unrolled surface with the thin layer 3, and restored intothe original cylindrical shape. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2, thethin layer 3 is applied via an adhesive 7 or welding to an upper surface6 of a sheet 5 which constitutes the cylindrical body 1, followed byrolling the sheet into a cylindrical shape. The use of the thin layer 3does not adversely affect the flexibility of the sheet 5 itself. Thematerial for the film is advantageously selected from those which willnot cause noises on contacting the cable 55 or its terminal 59 in use.

The sheet 5 is rolled into a cylindrical shape, with the thin layer 3thereon located on the inner side. Thereafter, circumferentiallyopposite end surfaces 8, 8 of the sheet 5 or opposite inner surfaces 9,9 adjacent to the respective end surfaces 8, 8 are adhered or welded toeach other to form the tube A (FIGS. 1 and 3). Thus, the thin layer 3applied to the inner circumferential surface 2 of the cylindrical body 1provides a smooth slide surface 4a for the terminal 59 of the wire 55,preventing the terminal 59 from catching in the irregularities on theinner circumferential surface 2 formed by the bubbles.

FIGS. 4 to 7 show a tube for wiring harnesses according to a secondembodiment of this invention. In these figures, like parts or elementsas in the first embodiment are denoted by like reference characters andtheir detailed description will be omitted.

In FIG. 4, a tube B for wiring harnesses has a thin layer 12 coated onan inner circumferential surface 11 of a cylindrical body 10 to providea smooth slide surface 4b. The thin layer 12 is formed by coating with aflexible setting adhesive or a flexible resin. The flexible settingadhesive or flexible resin (not shown) is directly flown onto 'the innercircumferential surface 11 of the cylindrical body 10 to form, as shownin FIG. 5, a thin layer 12 on the inner circumferential surface 11 whichfills in concaves 14 on the latter formed by the bubbles 13. A smoothslide surface 4b for the terminal 59 is thus provided.

Alternatively, instead of directly flowing onto the innercircumferential surface 11 of the cylindrical body 10, the adhesive orflexible resin, as shown in FIG. 6, is first coated on an upper surface16 of a sheet 15 to form the thin layer 12, followed by rolling thesheet 15 into a cylindrical shape. The thin layer 12 on the uppersurface 16 of the sheet 15 does not adversely affect the flexibility ofthe sheet 15 itself.

The sheet 15 is rolled into a cylindrical shape, with the coated thinlayer 12 located on the inner side, and then its circumferentiallyopposite end surfaces 17, 17 or opposite inner surfaces 18, 18 adjacentto the respective end surfaces 17, 17 are adhered or welded together toprovide the tube B (FIGS. 4 and 7). The thin layer 12 coated on theinner cylindrical surface 11 of the cylindrical body 10 thus provides asmooth guide surface for the terminal 59 and prevents the terminal 59from catching in the irregularities on the inner circumferential surface11 of the cylindrical body 10 during its passage therethrough.

FIGS. 8 to 10 show a tube for wiring harnesses according to a thirdembodiment of this invention. In these figures, like parts or elementsas in the first embodiment are denoted by like reference characters andtheir detailed description will be omitted.

In FIG. 8, a tube C for wiring harnesses has a set layer 22 formed byfusing an inner circumferential surface 21 of a cylindrical body 20 at atemperature over the softening temperature thereof. The set layer 22provides a smooth slide surface 4c for the terminal 59.

By fusing with a heat generator such as a heating coil a sheet 25 (FIG.9) at the upper surface 26 side at a temperature over the softeningtemperature thereof, the irregularities on the upper surface 26 formedby the bubbles 13 (FIG. 5) are evened to provide a smooth slide surfacein the cylindrical body 20. Because the fusing is effected only at theupper surface 26 side of the sheet 25, the sheet undergoes no changes inquality at portions other than those adjacent to the upper surface 26.The upper surface 26 of the sheet 25 is then cooled and set to providethe set layer 22. Advantageously, a pressure is applied to the uppersurface 26 of the sheet 25 concurrently with fusing the same, whichpressure can be a wind pressure or the like.

The sheet 25 is then rolled into a cylindrical shape, with the set layer25 located on the inner side, and then its circumferentially oppositeend surfaces 27, 27 or opposite inner surfaces 28, 28 adjacent to therespective end surfaces 27, 27 are adhered or welded together to providethe tube C (FIGS. 8 and 10).

The set layer 22 thus provides a smooth guide surface 4c which enablesthe passage of the terminal 59 through the cylindrical body 20 withoutcatching in the irregularities on the inner circumferential surface 21formed by the bubbles 13 (FIG. 5).

Thus, according to the first, second or third embodiment of thisinvention, the terminal 59 can be easily and smoothly inserted throughthe tube A, B or C into position in the connector housing 54, ascompared with the described related art.

Incidentally, in the present invention, any optional means other thanthose described in the preceding embodiments are also usable insofar ascapable of smoothening the inner circumferential surface 2, 11, 21 ofthe cylindrical body 1, 10, 20.

FIGS. 11 to 13 show a tube for wiring harnesses according to a fourthembodiment of this invention.

In FIG. 11, a tube D for wiring harnesses has a thin layer 32 applied toan inner circumferential surface 31 of a cylindrical body 30. The thinlayer 32 has a high heat shrinkability and thermosettability, andbecomes larger in thickness as indicated at 32' when heated andthereafter cooled to provide a smooth slide surface 4d for the terminal59. Examples of the layer 32 include a polyolefin layer.

Due to its high heat shrinkability, as mentioned above, the thin layer32 becomes large in thickness on its heating and subsequent cooling ascompared with that prior to the heating. As a result, the tube D isimproved, by the degree of thickness increased, in the capability ofprotecting the terminal-attached wire 55 and, in the case of two or moreterminal-attached wires 55 passed, in the capability of preventing thenoises casued by the contacting of the wires 55 with each other. Animprovement is also made in the abrasion resistance of the layer 32against the terminal 59 due to its properties as mentioned above.Further, because the heat shrinkability and thermosettability haverelation to the thickness of the layer 32 after the heating andsubsequent cooling, the degree of its abrasion resistance against theterminal 59 can be optionally set. The method of applying the thin layer32 to the inner circumferential surface 31 of the cylindrical body 30 isthe same as in the second embodiment, and its description is omitted.Denoted 37 are end surfaces corresponding to those at 17 in the secondembodiment.

There will now be given two examples of applications of the cylindricalbody 30 having on its inner circumferential surface 31 the thin layer 32which has a high heat shrinkability and thermosettability and becomesthicker when heated and thereafter cooled.

1) As shown in FIG. 12, the tube D is wrapped, for example, around outerperipheral walls 54a' of a connector 54' as an electric component, thetube D consisting of the cylindrical body 30 and the thin layer 32applied on the inner circumferential surface 31 thereof. The tube D,when heated and cooled, becomes larger in thickness as indicated at 32'to thereby closely contact the outer peripheral walls 54a' of theconnector 54'.

2) As shown in FIG. 13, the tube D--which consists of the cylindricalbody 30 and the thin layer 32 applied to the inner circumferentialsurface 31 thereof--is extended along a plurality of guide bosses 36arranged on a jig (not shown) in accordance with the laying path of awiring harness 50. The tube D, if heated and cooled in this condition,is set in the shape following the laying path of the wiring harness 50and becomes capable of performing also the function of a conventionalprotector (not shown) for protecting the wiring harness 50, therebyputting the protector into disuse.

As is apparent from the two examples as mentioned above, due to the highheat shrinkability and thermosettability which the thin layer 32 on theinner circumferential surface 31 of the cylindrical body 30 possesses,the tube D has the function of protecting the cable 55, the function ofpreventing the noises caused by the contacting of the cables 55 witheach other, and the function of being formed into a shape correspondingto outer peripheral walls (54a') of an electric component (54') or tothe laying path of a wiring harness (50). As a result, the tube D isimproved in versatility as compared with the conventional one. Inaddition, owing to the cylindrical body 30 which is cheap, theproduction cost of the tube D is reduced as compared with theconventional one.

FIGS. 14 to 17 show a tube for wiring harnesses according to a fifthembodiment of this invention.

In FIGS. 14 and 15, a tube E for wiring harnesses consists of a sheet 40and a thin film 41 applied to one surface of the sheet 40, the film 41having flexibility and a higher heat shrinkability than that of thesheet 40 so that, when heated and thereafter cooled, the sheet 40 rollsspontaneously into a cylindrical shape, with the film 41 being locatedon the inner side to provide the tube E. The film 41 provides a slidesurface 4e for the terminal 59. As in the preceding embodiments, thesheet 40 is made of foamed and flexible material having a multiplicityof minute bubbles (as shown at 13 in FIG. 5). Examples of the film 41include a polyester film. Denoted 42 is an adhesive or the like forapplying the film 41 to the sheet 40.

As is apparent from the above, a difference in heat shrinkabilitybetween the sheet 40 and the film 41 is used by heating. In other words,due to the higher heat shrinkability of the film 41, when the sheet 40with the film 41 is allowed to cool after heating, the sheet 40gradually spontaneously rolls on the side of the film 41 and into thetube E. On completion of the cooling, an overlap portion 46 is formed inwhich circumferentially opposite end portions 45a, 45b of the tube Eoverlap each other. The circumferential dimension 47 of the overlapportion 46 is decided by the largeness of the difference in heatshrinkability between the sheet 40 and the film 41, and thus by suitablyselecting the largeness of such difference, the circumferentialdimension 47 of the overlap portion 46 can be adjusted.

Because no external force is acting on the tube E in the direction ofits closure, it can be easily opened by hand at the overlap portion 46.Further, due to the resilient force of the tube E opened, when hand isput off, the tube E spontaneously returns to its original position.

Thus, the tube E is easily fitted or sleeved over the cable(s) 55 or thewiring harness 50 by opening at the overlap portion 46 which, whenclosed, prevents the received cable(s) 55 or wiring harness 50 fromfalling off, as indicated in FIGS. 16 and 17. As compared with thedescribed related art in which the terminals 59 attached to the cables55 are first inserted through the tube 60 and then locked in theconnector housing 54, the tube E is easily sleeved over the cables 55from aside, making it possible for the terminals 59 to be first lockedin the connector housing 54. Thus, with the tube E, the locking of theterminals 59 in position in the connector housing 54 can be done morerapidly than before.

Further, because the circumferential dimension 47 by which the oppositeend portions 45a, 45b of the tube E overlap each other is optionallysettable, the circumferential dimension 47 can be easily selected so asto correspond to the outer diameter of the wiring harness, as shown inFIGS. 17A and 17B. Because one tube E can be used in common, making itunnecessary to provide different sizes of the tube E for wiringharnesses 50 of different outer diameters, a reduction is made in theproduction cost of the tubes.

FIGS. 18-28 show a tube for wiring harnesses according to a sixthembodiment of this invention.

In FIG. 18, a tube F for wiring harnesses consists of a spontaneouslyrolled cylindrical body 44 as in the preceding embodiment and anadhesive tape 70 wound around an outer peripheral surface 44a of thecylindrical body 44 so as to make the same smaller in diameter at aportion where the adhesive tape is wound.

The adhesive tape 70 is thin and flexible and is of such material aswill not produce noises when hitting ambient parts in a vehicle (notshown).

Cables 72 constituting a wiring harness 71 are passed through thespontaneously rolled cylindrical body 44. The adhesive tape 70 is woundaround opposite end portions 45a, 45b of the cylindrical body 44 to havetheir diameter reduced as shown in FIG. 19. Thus, the space in thecylindrical body 44 between the cables 72 and the inner circumferentialsurface 44c, shown at S in FIG. 20, becomes smaller than that present inthe cylindrical body 44 before the winding of the adhesive tape 70 hasbeen effected, as is indicated at S' in FIG. 21. This serves to restrictan axial movement of the cables 72 in the direction P and maintains thecables 72 in fixed position relative to the cylindrical body 44.

Further, the winding of the adhesive tape 70 protects the outerperipheral surface 44a of the cylindrical body 44 from wearing whichwould otherwise result after a long time of vehicle vibrations. The tubeF for wiring harnesses thus has an improved resistance to wear. As aresult, a suppression of the noises can be made which are caused whencables 72 exposed through a worn tube F for wiring harnesses hit ambientparts in the vehicle.

If the adhesive tape 70 is wound around the opposite end portions 45a,45b of the cylindrical body 44 in an extended manner to the cables 72 asshown in FIG. 23, the axial displacement of the cables 72 relative tothe cylindrical body 44 can be securely prevented, leading to a furtherimproved resistance to wearing due to vehicle vibrations.

Further, without the adhesive tape 70, the cables 72 may get laterallyout of the cylindrical body 44 during their mounting on a vehicle bodydue to their bending or external forces, and thus the fitting of thecylindrical body 44 over the cables 72 has been effected after thecables 72 have been mounted on the vehicle body. The winding of theadhesive tape 70 excludes the possibility of the cables 72 getting asidefrom the cylindrical body 44. As a result, the cylindrical body 44 canbe fitted over the cables 72 during the production of the wiring harnessand in advance to the assembling of the vehicle body, leading to areduction in the number of assembling steps on the assembly line.

The cylindrical body 44, after mounted on the vehicle, receivesdifferent strengths of vibrations or external forces at differentportions thereof, depending on the location of the cylindrical body 44in the vehicle. In the light of this, the adhesive tape 70 can also bewound at positions other than the opposite end portions 45a, 45b of thecylindrical body 44, as will be mentioned below.

Where the vibrations or external forces tend to focus on an intermediateportion 45c of the cylindrical body 44, the adhesive tape 70 is woundaround the intermediate portion 45c, leaving the opposite end portions45a, 45b uncovered, as shown in FIG. 24.

In this case, unlike the case where the adhesive tape 70 is wound aroundthe opposite end portions 45a, 45b (FIG. 23), it can be wound up at atime without cutting in the middle.

Where the opposite end portions 45a, 45b and an intermediate portion 45cof the cylindrical portion 44 are acted with vibrations or externalforces, the latter with relatively weak vibrations or external, theadhesive tape 70 is wound around the opposite end portions 45a, 45b andthe intermediate portion 45c, on the latter in a bellows-like manner, asshown in FIG. 25.

With this bellows-like arrangement, the space S" in the cylindrical body44 between the inner circumferential surface 44c and the cables 72, asshown in FIG. 26, is smaller than the space S in FIG. 20, but largerthan the space S' in FIG. 21 (S'<S"<S). The cylindrical body 44 with theadhesive tape 70 thus wound therearound can flexibly follow the cables72 which possibly undergo bending when mounted on the vehicle.

Where the vibrations or external forces act on the entire length of thecylindrical body 44, the adhesive tape 70 is wound over such entirelength of the cylindrical body 44 as shown in FIG. 27. The thus woundcylindrical body 44 has the highest resistance to wearing resulting fromvehicle vibrations. Further, the space in the cylindrical body 44between the cables 72 and the inner circumferential surface 44c is inthis case the smallest, thereby most effectively suppressing the axialdisplacement of the cylindrical body 44 relative to the cables 72. Theadhesive tape 70 may optionally be wound in an extended manner to thecables 72 as in the example shown in FIG. 28.

Having now fully described the invention, it will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art that many changes and modifications can bemade thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as set forth herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tube for wiring harnesses comprising:acylindrical body for passage therethrough of at least oneterminal-attached cable branched from a wiring harness, said cylindricalbody being made of a foamed flexible sheet having a multiplicity ofminute bubbles; and a cover means having a smooth, even and uncorrugatedinner circumferential surface which smoothens an inner circumferentialsurface of said cylindrical body, wherein said at least oneterminal-attached cable slides along said smooth, even and uncorrugatedinner circumferential surface of said cover means when passing throughsaid cylindrical body.
 2. The tube for wiring harnesses according toclaim 1, wherein said cover means comprises an applied film coveringsaid inner circumferential surface of said cylindrical body.
 3. The tubefor wiring harnesses according to claim 2, wherein said applied film isof polyester.
 4. The tube for wiring harnesses according to claim 2,wherein said applied film which covers said inner circumferentialsurface of said cylindrical body has a high heat shrinkability andthermosettability and becomes larger in thickness when heated andthereafter cooled.
 5. The tube for wiring harnesses according to claim4, wherein said applied film and thus said cylindrical body are used todirectly cover an electric component such as a connector.
 6. The tubefor wiring harnesses according to claim 4, wherein said cylindrical bodywith said applied film is extended in accordance with a laying path of awiring harness and is heated and thereafter cooled to be put in a shapefollowing said laying path of said wiring harness.
 7. The tube forwiring harnesses according to claim 1, wherein said cover meanscomprises a coated layer covering said inner circumferential surface ofsaid cylindrical body.
 8. The tube for wiring harnesses according toclaim 7, wherein said coated layer comprises a flexible settableadhesive or a flexible resin.
 9. The tube for wiring harnesses accordingto claim 1, wherein said cover means comprises a layer covering saidinner circumferential surface of said cylindrical body, which isprovided by fusing a'surface of said sheet constituting said innercircumferential surface of said cylindrical body at a temperature over asoftening temperature thereof and allowing said surface of said sheet tocool.
 10. The tube for wiring harnesses according to claim 9, whereinsaid surface of said sheet is applied with a pressure while being fusedto provide said layer.
 11. A tube for wiring harnesses comprising:acylindrical body for passage therethrough of at least oneterminal-attached cable branched from a wiring harness, said cylindricalbody being made of a foamed flexible sheet having a multiplicity ofminute bubbles; and a cover means having a smooth, longitudinally eveninner circumferential surface which smoothens and makes longitudinallyeven an inner circumferential surface of said cylindrical body, whereinsaid at least one terminal-attached cable slides along said smooth,longitudinally even inner circumferential surface of said cover meanswhen passing through said cylindrical body.